Smooth Sailing: The Best of Nautical Style from the Vogue Archives

The formula for nautical style is as simple as it is perfect: navy, white, and a stripe. The added bonus? It works for all ages and looks as good in a woman’s wardrobe as it does in a man’s. Prince Albert Edward (later Edward VII) is credited with maneuvering the sailor suit into fashion waters when pictured in naval attire as a toddler. Soon the look was de rigueur for children everywhere, and over time, the loose sailor blouse, known as the middy, became the uniform of sporty young women, too.

Key elements of nautical style—like officer’s caps, flap-front pants, and pea coats—have been reimagined by designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier. The classic striped Breton marinière, which made a splash when it was worn by Coco Chanel on the French Riviera, has been an anchor for the look since the Roaring Twenties.